I am very interested in information or guides for tours of English castles and gardens. While I would be particularly interested in "self-guided" tours where I could rent an auto and drive the English countryside, I would also be interested in planned/group tours. I hope to do such a trip in the spring. <BR> <BR>THANKS!

<BR>hiya! <BR>i cant tell you much about tours, but i can recomend some lovely gardens. hever castle, warwick castle and hampton court. i have only seen them in the fall and the were lovely then.. can only imagine the beauty of full summer bloom.

Have you tried: <BR>http://goeurope.miningco.com/travel/...urs_garden.htm <BR> <BR>Coopersmith is a familiar name. Think there is another one that specializes in English gardens -- out of southern CT. Check the ads in the back of a glossy travel magazine. You could always take their tour agenda and adapt it to your independent travel.

Fodors <BR> <BR>Dear Mr Schambre, <BR> <BR>I'm afraid I can't help on tours, but there are some good web sites for independent travel <BR> <BR>Gardens <BR>The National Gardens Scheme for England and Wales, includes a Garden Finder: you select by county and by date. http://www.ngs.org.uk <BR>If you enter "Gardens" on the National Trust site you get an alphabetical list of properties with good gardens. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/themes.htm <BR>Selected English Heritage houses and castles with good gardens http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...x.asp?mkey=145 <BR>Fifty gardens, from "The Independent" newspaper http://www.independent.co.uk/50_Best...it/index.shtml <BR>The English Heritage site will also lead you to castles, if you so ask. Britain's finest group of medieval castles is in north Wales. If you use http://www.yahoo.co.uk, click fior UK sites, then enter "Wales castles" I think you'll find detail. <BR> <BR>After which, please write if I can help further. Welcome to England. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR>

The rose gardens at Windsor Castle, and the gardens of Blenheim palace. <BR> <BR>Absolutely breathtaking!!

I used to do some work with a company called Expo Garden Tours, based in Reading, CT. They offer various types of tours and are a small company. <BR> <BR>Also another company that I believe offers tours is Back Roads (www.backroadstouring.co.uk). <BR> <BR>Wheather you take a tour or rent a car this is a fantastic way to see some of the best parts of the coutry, particulary Sussex and Surrey. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps <BR>Mike

Also look at www.rhs.org.uk (Royal Horticultural Society). <BR> <BR>When viewing the National Trust site, you might consider asking when the Fete Champetre is at Stourhead (one of the finest park gardens in England). This is an entertainment played out around the lake one weekend in the Summer. If you are in England that weekend, it would be a good option. Book early! You will be sitting somewhere round the lake in the evening - food and seating need to be considered.

Hi thnk you all for your informaion ,I am very intersted in visiting English gardens too ,try to have www.dk.com for a guide book( Patrick Taylor's Guide to Gardens of Britain & Ireland) it have maps and more than 400 gardens and more.

topping for query about gardens